Tax assessor Reeves resigns

By Joseph Basco | jbasco@mrt.com

Published 5:11 pm, Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

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Kathy Reeves, tax assessor and collector, poses for a picture in her office at the Midland County Tax Office on Tuesday. Reeves resigned from the position Tuesday, Nov. 26, but will not leave the office until December 9th. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram less

Kathy Reeves, tax assessor and collector, poses for a picture in her office at the Midland County Tax Office on Tuesday. Reeves resigned from the position Tuesday, Nov. 26, but will not leave the office until ... more

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

Tax assessor Reeves resigns

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County Tax Assessor and Collector Kathy Reeves announced her resignation Tuesday morning, ending a 30-year tenure at the Midland County Tax Office.

“This was a hard decision to come to,” Reeves said, a native Midlander who has served as tax assessor and collector since 1993.

Reeves’ announcement comes at a time when various county and state positions are up for election. Though Reeves did not comment on whether or not she would be running for any other positions, she said that the timing of her resignation was “right” and she has been “presented with opportunities” that she would like to take advantage of.

Looking back on her years of work as tax assessor and collector, Reeves thanked her staff first, describing them as “family.”

“This year, we’ll probably account for over $100 million that flows through this office,” Reeves said. “None of that could be done without the people here.”

Reeves also reflected back on the tax assessor and collector position itself, saying that it has the most personal liability. In other words, she said any of her money or property can be taken away if there is any negligence on her part or anyone else that works for her.

“It can be a heavy burden,” Reeves said.

Although Reeves announced her resignation during Commissioners’ Court on Tuesday, she does not officially become resigned until the next meeting on Dec. 9. On that day, tax office property appraiser Manny Natividad is expected to be the interim tax collector and assessor, pending approval from commissioners.

During her final two weeks, Reeves will transition Natividad into his new position and assist him as an external county audit takes place. Natividad, who has gone through two external county audits before, said he would feel more comfortable if Reeves stayed for a bit longer.

On Tuesday, county commissioners asked Natividad how long he would want to be tax assessor and collector, be it until the March 2014 primary elections or for the long term. Though he did not comment on whether or not he would be running for the permanent tax assessor and collector position, Natividad said to commissioners that he’s “in it for the long haul.”

Both Reeves and Natividad said they plan to finalize their future plans by Dec. 9.

“There’s been a lot of sleepless nights on whether or not I should act on these opportunities,” Reeves said. “But with a lot of counseling, praying, thinking and meditating, I have come to this decision. It’s hard to leave my office family.”